Mediator appointed in 911 call-taker labour dispute, union ‘not proceeding’ with strike for now

After days of closed door talks it seems as though school likely won't be starting on Tuesday. (CTV)

Vince Ready has been appointed as a special mediator for negotiations between B.C.’s 911 call-takers and their employer, putting a stop to planned job action for the time being.

The announcement comes from the province’s labour minister, Jennifer Whiteside, less than a day after CUPE Local 8911 members issued a 72-hour strike notice.

In a news release, Whiteside says Ready will begin working with the two sides Saturday and continue for up to 10 days. As she explains, he’ll “issue binding recommendations on all outstanding issues” if they can’t come to an agreement.

CUPE 8911 confirms in a separate news release that the union won’t go ahead with its scheduled job action during the allotted 10-day time period.

“I would like to thank Mr. Ready for agreeing to take on this important work. I am grateful to the parties, who jointly requested the appointment and have agreed to binding recommendations as part of their efforts to find a resolution,” said Whiteside.

“I encourage both parties to work together with the special mediator, with urgency and determination, to reach a fair and timely agreement.”

The employer, E-Comm, says it and the union “mutually” requested the province’s Ministry of Labour bring in a special mediator on Friday, explaining in a release that the union “previously declined E-Comm’s offers for assistance through both mediation and interest arbitration.”

CUPE 8911 says the union welcomes Whiteside’s appointment of the veteran mediator, adding that it looks forward to working with someone with “extensive knowledge and experience dealing with complex contract negotiations.”

“We want to thank the government for recognizing the urgency of this situation and its assistance in appointing the special mediator, and we are ready to move forward with this process,” said CUPE 8911 President Donald Grant in a statement.

E-Comm vice-president of People and Culture echoed the union’s sentiment.

“Our priority from the beginning of collective bargaining has been to reach a fair and equitable agreement that supports our employees and the vital work they do, while ensuring the continuity of the critical services British Columbians rely on,” he said.

E-Comm workers were set up for a legal strike position effective at 3:29 p.m. on Monday, June 8. CUPE Local 8911 members voted 95 per cent in favour of the strike in May.